By John Frederick Kaufman

Fists and Flags

“America first!” the president cried
and raised his fist
to punch the sky

while someone punched a fascist
in the head: the fist
is first of many lies,

grip of welcome weaponized.
In my hand I hold
a pen to strike

out the wall-like words
that slam but do not
move the mind. Truth first

is all I’d care to put
upon the open-handed sky
and hold each hand as my salute.